The third edition of IESBA Asia Dispatch highlights discussions in Hong Kong SAR as part of the ongoing Firm Culture and Governance Dialogues. The newsletter explores how trust is reinforced through continuous improvement, strong leadership, and a sustained commitment to ethical practice. Engagements with regulators, firms, and other stakeholders underscore the importance of embedding governance, accountability, and ethical decision making into organizational culture to support long-term confidence in the profession.

👉 Read the full edition on LinkedIn: Hong Kong: Trust Sustained through Continuous Improvement | LinkedIn

The second edition of IESBA Asia Dispatch reflects on the continuation of the Firm Culture and Governance Dialogues in Malaysia. Building on discussions in Singapore, this edition explores how purpose-driven leadership, strong organizational culture, and a clear commitment to the public interest translate into action. Through engagement with regulators, professional bodies, and market participants, the newsletter highlights practical insights on accountability, governance, and the role of ethics in shaping resilient institutions.

👉 Read the full edition on LinkedIn: Malaysia: Purpose, Culture and the Public Interest in Motion | LinkedIn

IESBA’s inaugural Asia Dispatch captures key insights from the launch of the Firm Culture and Governance Dialogues in Singapore. The edition highlights reflections from Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, perspectives from CFO roundtable discussions, and conversations on technology, AI, and the evolving role of ethics in strengthening organizational culture. Drawing on engagement with regulators, firms, and professional bodies, the newsletter underscores the power of collaboration in advancing trust and governance across the region.

Read it here: Dialogues in Singapore: Firm Culture, Governance and the Power of Collaboration | LinkedIn

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today published a summary of feedback from its global Technology Quality Management roundtables, which explored how emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—are affecting audit and assurance engagements and the application of the IAASB’s quality management standards.

The roundtables, held in the second half of 2025, brought together more than 240 stakeholders from six continents, including auditors, regulators, standard setters, firms, and technology specialists. Discussions focused on current and emerging uses of technology in audit and assurance, related governance and risk management challenges, and stakeholder expectations for maintaining trust and consistency in the use of emerging technological tools, including AI-enabled tools in engagements. This starts with robust quality management of such tools.

“At a time when the use of AI in audit and assurance is expanding rapidly, stakeholders told us clearly that global consistency and practical clarity matter,” said Tom Seidenstein, IAASB Chair. “The roundtable feedback confirms that our quality management standards remain robust and principles-based, while highlighting areas where additional non-authoritative guidance could support consistent application as technologies continue to evolve.”

Participants broadly agreed that the IAASB’s quality management standards—particularly International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM) 1 and International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 220 (Revised)—provide a strong foundation for managing technology-related risks. At the same time, stakeholders noted that the IAASB could assist by developing additional practical guidance to help address challenges associated with emerging technologies.

The IAASB will use the roundtable feedback, along with other stakeholder feedback, to inform its future work on Technology Quality Management. In December 2025, the IAASB approved the development of non-authoritative material. At its March meeting, the IAASB will discuss a proposed action plan that includes the objective and scope of the initiative, identification of possible themes or topics to be addressed, the proposed development process and coordination with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) and other organizations.

The summary report, Technology Quality Management Roundtables: Outcomes and Next Steps, is available on the IAASB website.

More information about the Technology Quality Management initiative, including ongoing updates, is available on the IAASB’s project web page.

About the IAASB
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements. Along with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, the IAASB is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit. The Public Interest Oversight Board oversees IAASB and IESBA activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards. For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please visit Permissions.

This feedback summary shares the results of the IAASB’s global Technology Quality Management roundtables, which explored how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are affecting audit and assurance engagements and the application of the IAASB’s quality management standards.

The accountancy profession is evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting business models, changing capital markets, technological advancement, and rising expectations of professional judgment and leadership.

International Federation of Accountants’ (IFAC) advisory groups play a critical role in helping the global profession navigate these changes. Bringing together experienced practitioners, educators, and leaders from across regions and sectors, the groups provide practical insight into how global trends are affecting professional accountants and the organizations they serve.

Through their work, IFAC’s advisory groups:

• Provide forward-looking perspectives on emerging developments affecting the profession
• Support efforts to strengthen the profession’s relevance, resilience, and attractiveness
• Contribute practical insight to the development of tools, resources, and guidance
• Help connect global standard setting with real-world business and professional experience

Advisory groups represented include:

• The International Panel on Accountancy Education, which supports the advancement of high-quality, future-focused accountancy education worldwide.
• The Professional Accountancy Organization Development and Advisory Group, which supports strong, resilient, and sustainable professional accountancy organizations.
• The Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group, which considers global trends affecting CFOs, finance leaders, boards, and audit committees across sectors.
• The Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group, which provides input and practical resources to support SMPs and SMEs and promote their essential role in the global economy.

IFAC warmly welcomes the new members joining its advisory groups in 2026 and thanks departing members for their dedication and service to the profession.

Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, said:

“At a time of significant change for the global profession, IFAC’s advisory groups play an essential role in bringing together insight, experience, and perspective from across jurisdictions and sectors. Their contributions help ensure the profession remains relevant, resilient, and attractive, while continuing to earn trust and serve the public interest. I am pleased to welcome our new members and thank those concluding their terms for their valued service to the global profession.”

(Members below listed with employer and nominating organizations)

International Panel on Accountancy Education

New Members

• Sven Hayn, Owner & CEO, WP Hayn | Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer and Wirtschaftsprüferkammer (Germany)
• Jen Rimes, Director, Global Assurance, BDO Global | BDO Global (USA)
• Susan Smith, Professor of Accounting, University College London (UCL) School of Management | Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (United Kingdom)
• Roopa Venkatesh, Director, School of Accounting, University of Nebraska at Omaha | University of Nebraska at Omaha (USA)
• Samantha Wilson, General Manager, CA Program, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand | Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and CPA Australia

Returning Member & Deputy Chair

• Jan Taylor, Senior Director, Academic in Residence, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants–AICPA | AICPA (USA)

Departing Members

• Susan Flis, Senior Manager, Global Professional Practice, Methodology & Enablement |  Ernst & Young LLP (USA)
• Simon Hann, Group Executive, Education & Marketing | Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia (Australia)
• Irene Wiecek, Professor, Teaching Stream at University of Toronto Mississauga | CPA Canada (Canada)

Professional Accountancy Organization Development and Advisory Group

New Members

• Lamyaa AlRasheed, Partner, EY | The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (Saudi Arabia)
• Mahbub Ahmed Siddique, Chief Operating Officer, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh | The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (Bangladesh)

Returning Member

• Mkombozi Karake, Chief Executive Officer, Global Institute of Governance and Sustainability (GIGS) | Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (Rwanda)

Departing Members

• Sheree Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer, Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants | Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants (Cayman Islands)
• Razak Jaiyeola, Chief Executive Officer, A.J. Silicon Tech | Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (Nigeria)

Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group

New Members

• John Bugunya, Self-Employed | Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Rwanda)
• Nametso Masuku, Finance Manager, Debswana Diamond Company | Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (Botswana)
• Michi Sasano, Representative Director and CEO, Control Solutions K.K. | Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Japan)

Returning Members

• Esther Bosch, Director Risk & Audit, Royal Schiphol Group | Royal Nederlandse Beroepsorganisatie van Accountants (Netherlands)
• Mike Driver, Independent Board Chair, Non-Executive Director | Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (United Kingdom)
• Lindawati Gani, Professor in Management Accounting, Universitas Indonesia | Institute of Indonesia Chartered Accountants (Indonesia)
• Muhammad Samiullah Siddiqui, Director Finance, Oxford University Press | Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (Pakistan)

Departing Members

• Ichiro Waki, Chief Executive Officer, JBA Group | Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Japan)
• Gloria Zvaravanhu, Managing Director, Old Mutual ZW | Institute of Chartered Accountants (Zimbabwe)

Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group

New Members

• Graziella Hobeika, Managing Partner, HBK Audit & Advisory | Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants (Lebanon)
• Renata Peppe, Senior Audit Manager, Peppe Associados Consultores & Auditores Independentes | Conselho Federal de Contabilidade and Instituto dos Auditores Independentes do Brasil (Brazil)
• Hein Vandelanotte, Partner, Vandelanotte | Institute for Tax Advisors and Accountants (Belgium)

Returning Members

• Comfort Eyitayo, Business Consultant, Comfort Olu. Eyitayo & Co | Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (Nigeria)
• Takuma Kinjo, Managing Partner, RSM Seiwa | Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Japan)
• Yan Zhao, Director of Continuing Professional Development Department, Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) | CICPA (China)

Departing Members

• Monica Stefan, Senior Audit Partner, Soter & Partners | Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania (Romania)
• Michael Fontaine, President, MF & Associés | Compagnie Nationale des Commissaires aux Comptes and Conseil National de l'Ordre des Experts-Comptables (France)

About IFAC 

IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.

IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality, and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.

IFAC and its members work together with the Forum of Firms and other key stakeholders to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.